Medical Corner

Posted: 19 March 2012

Running and Infections: With about two weeks to go, you probably can’t wait for race day. Acute infections can occur at any time, but in runners are typically more common at times of peak training and just before races. If you suffer from an acute infection it will interfere with your running performance, but more importantly can also cause serious medical complications during a training run or a race. The Medical Team would like to dedicate this section of the newsletter to exercise and infections in order to assist you in running a safe race and reducing your risk of developing medical complications.

Infections can occur in many body parts including the respiratory tract-, skin-, urinary tract and gastro-intestinal tract. The following sections contain information and guidelines on exercise and some more common acute infections in various body parts.

Respiratory tract infections (flu and the common cold): Respiratory tract infections are the most common infections affecting athletes and are caused by viruses (mostly), bacteria or other organisms. However, symptoms of respiratory tract infections may also be caused by a non-infectious cause such as an allergy. These infections mainly affect the nose, sinuses or throat area and are then known as upper respiratory tract infections.

Symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection are blocked nose, runny nose, sore throat, and painful sinuses. Usually, but not always, these infections result in no symptoms affecting the whole body (fever, muscle pain, joint pain, general tiredness). If the infection spreads to the airways and lungs, this is known as a lower respiratory tract infection. Typical symptoms of a lower respiratory tract infection are cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Usually, but not always these infections are associated with symptoms affecting the whole body (fever, muscle pain, joint pain, general tiredness).

Running and respiratory tract infections: Taking part in exercise while having an infection can be very detrimental to your health and can cause serious complications. Some of the viruses can affect the heart muscle (known as myocarditis), resulting in heart muscle damage and even sudden cardiac death. Please remember that other infections, such as measles and chickenpox affect the respiratory tract and your whole body. They -are contagious and it is recommended that you do not exercise when you suffer from these illnesses.

There are very strict guidelines to assist you in preventing complications during running when you have symptoms of a respiratory tract infection. Please take note that if you have any of the following symptoms of respiratory tract infections, it is recommended that you do NOT take part in exercise:

Fever

General muscle pains

General joint pains

Chest pain

Increase in your resting pulse rate

Shortness of breath (more than usual)

General tiredness (fatigue) that is more than usual

Severe sore throat

Swollen and painful lymph nodes in your neck

If you have any of these symptoms, we suggest that you do NOT train or race, and consult your doctor for further advice and treatment. Medical staff will be at the Expo to assist you if you do have any of these symptoms. The staff will be able to offer advice on running and respiratory tract infections.

When can you resume running after a respiratory tract infection?
It is suggested that you can return to running after a respiratory tract infection only when all your symptoms have disappeared and you feel well again. If you are not sure, please have an evaluation by a qualified medical doctor. In some mild cases where your symptoms are only in the upper respiratory tract (no generalised body symptoms), your doctor may allow some form of low-moderate intensity exercise.

Running and gastro-enteritis (gastro-intestinal infections): Gastro-enteritis (including gastro-intestinal infections), is also very common in athletes, particularly when travelling. The causes of gastro-enteritis can be as a result of an infection or a toxin (food poisoning). The typical symptoms of gastro-enteritis are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramping (pain). Acute gastro-enteritis can have detrimental effects on your ability to run, largely as a result of dehydration and electrolyte disturbances. Symptoms affecting your whole body such as fever, muscle pain, joint pain, and general tiredness may also occur.

There are very strict guidelines to assist you in preventing complications during running when you have symptoms of gastro-enteritis. Please take note that if you have any of the following symptoms of gastro-enteritis, it is recommended that you do NOT take part in exercise:

If you have any of these symptoms, we suggest that you do NOT train or race, and consult your doctor for further advice and treatment. Medical staff will be at the Expo to assist you if you do have any of these symptoms. The staff will be able to offer advice on running and gastro-enteritis.

Other acute infections: If you have symptoms of any other acute infection (including bladder infections, skin infections etc.), especially in the week before the race, we strongly urge you to seek a medical opinion from a qualified medical doctor. As mentioned, the medical team will also be available at the registration (Expo), to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
We wish you safe running until race day.The Medical team